Creates a new DBIx::DBSchema::Column object. Takes a hashref of named parameters, or a list. name is the name of the column. type is the SQL data type. null is the nullability of the column (intrepreted using Perl's rules for truth, with one exception: `NOT NULL' is false). length is the SQL length of the column. default is the default value of the column. local is reserved for database-specific information.

Note: If you pass a scalar reference as the default rather than a scalar value, it will be dereferenced and quoting will be forced off. This can be used to pass SQL functions such as now() or explicit empty strings as '' as defaults.

The data source can be specified by passing an open DBI database handle, or by passing the DBI data source name, username and password.

Although the username and password are optional, it is best to call this method with a database handle or data source including a valid username and password - a DBI connection will be opened and the quoting and type mapping will be more reliable.

If passed a DBI data source (or handle) such as `DBI:mysql:database' or `DBI:Pg:dbname=database', will use syntax specific to that database engine. Currently supported databases are MySQL and PostgreSQL. Non-standard syntax for other engines (if applicable) may also be supported in the future.

The data source can be specified by passing an open DBI database handle, or by passing the DBI data source name, username and password.

Although the username and password are optional, it is best to call this method with a database handle or data source including a valid username and password - a DBI connection will be opened and the quoting and type mapping will be more reliable.

If passed a DBI data source (or handle) such as `DBI:Pg:dbname=database', will use PostgreSQL-specific syntax. Non-standard syntax for other engines (if applicable) may also be supported in the future.

Returns a list of SQL statements to alter this column so that it is identical to the provided prototype column, also a DBIx::DBSchema::Column object.

Optionally, the data source can be specified by passing an open DBI database handle, or by passing the DBI data source name, username and password.

If passed a DBI data source (or handle) such as `DBI:Pg:dbname=database', will use PostgreSQL-specific syntax. Non-standard syntax for other engines (if applicable) may also be supported in the future.

If not passed a data source (or handle), or if there is no driver for the specified database, will attempt to use generic SQL syntax.

Copyright (c) 2000-2006 Ivan Kohler Copyright (c) 2007-2010 Freeside Internet Services, Inc. All rights reserved. This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.